La Luna Cafe, King Tide Fish & Shell, Coming April 2018

Simpatica Dining Hall Space to become La Luna Cafe

When Simpatica closed in 2017, the biggest question was what would happen to the space. Now the details are out – it will become La Luna Cafe, named after the rock club

The new restaurant will have the Simpatica management team: Ben Dyer, Jason Owens, and David Kreifels. These are the same folks that bring you Laurelhurst Market, and its spinoff restaurants.

According to The Oregonian, “The menu is still being worked out, but longtime Simpatica fans should recognize a handful of dishes, including the burger, the waffles made with pâte à choux batter and the Logger meal of chicken-fried bison steak and appetite-quenching sides. Elsewhere, the kitchen once known as a carnivore’s palace will become both healthier and a bit more vegetarian and vegan-friendly, with greens, algae and other whole foods making their way into sauces, juices and smoothies.”

If all goes well, La Luna Cafe will open every day of the week, beginning this Spring at 828 SE Ash Street, Portland.

King Tide Fish & Shell is set to open on the banks of the Willamette River, taking over the former Three Degrees space, this April.

Chef Lauro Romero’s menu will be heavy on American seafood classics, whole and filleted fish, and a ‘raw bar’ selection of dressed oysters, crudo and poke.

The dining room and bar will have a classic, comfortable design – with subtle nods to its nautical name and marina location – meant to remind diners of a Pacific Northwest fishing lodge. There will also be a new, river-view private dining room, available to book for larger parties and events, between the separate restaurant and bar spaces.

Both sides will offer patio seating, key for enjoying Portland summers, and King Tide also plans to host a summer pop-up along the waterfront with fish tacos, ceviche and more.

Joining the team, to drive the beverage side of things, is celebrated bartender Elizabeth Powell. She’s worked at award-winning spots like Ox/Whey Bar, Launderette in Austin and Seattle’s Liberty Bar, and is acting president of the Oregon Bartender’s Guild. Elizabeth is creating a menu of fresh, clean and occasionally fizzy cocktails to work alongside Chef Lauro’s seasonal menu – but being Portland, a few stirred, brown liquor options will make an appearance. While cocktails will be a focus, the bar program also is set to have a solid selection of local beers on tap and a long list of seafood-friendly wines and bubbles.